Effect of Nano-Urea and Zinc Sulphate Foliar Spray on Crop Growth, Yield and Uptake of Rice Varieties in Alluvial Soils
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v54.i2.229Keywords:
Foliar application, Nano-urea, Nitrogen use efficiency, Rice yield, ZincAbstract
Among the major plant nutrients, excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation results in significant nutrient losses and environmental degradation. Foliar nano fertilizers offer a promising solution to enhance nutrient use efficiency, reduce losses, and mitigate environmental impacts in rice production systems. This study aims to evaluate the effects of foliar fertilization of nano-urea and zinc sulphate on the performances of rice varieties in the new alluvial soils of West Bengal, India during kharif season. In this experiment, three rice cultivars of different duration viz. V₁- Shatabdi (110 days), V₂-Lalswarna (135 days) and V₃-Kataribhog (150 days) were kept in main plots and four nutrient managements like F₁-Prilled N₀ + FYM (@ 5t ha⁻¹) + Nano-urea @0.4%, F₂- Prilled N₃₀ kg ha⁻¹ + Nano-urea @0.4% dilution, F₃-Prilled N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹ + ZnSO4, 7H₂O @0.5% dilution and F₄- Only prilled N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹ were placed in sub-plots. Results revealed that rice cv. 'Lalswarna' recorded the highest grain yield followed by Shatabdi with harvest index. Supplementation of 50% prilled urea by N₃₀ kg ha⁻¹ + nano-urea 0.4% foliar application achieved at par grain yield of rice with 100% RDN as prilled urea @ N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹. The application of 100% RDN as prilled urea by N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹ + ZnSO4 foliar @ 0.5% dilution along with full 30 kgP₂O₅ ha⁻¹ and 30 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ had the significant impact on grain yield of 4490 kg ha⁻¹ accompanied by the highest numbers of effective tillers, more filled grains with low chaffs and the highest test weight. The interaction effects of variety and foliar application revealed the highest grain yield achieved by 'Lalswarna' variety with the application of prilled urea @ N₆₀ kg ha⁻¹ + foliar ZnSO4 at 20 and 40 DAT, and the lowest grain yield was noted in aromatic cultivar 'Kataribhog' by the application of no prilled urea (N0) + FYM @ 5.0 t ha⁻¹ + foliar nano-urea. In post-harvest soil, residual NPK availability was better in 'Kataribhog than Lalswarna variety. Based on the results of experiment, foliar application of nano-urea and zinc may be advocated considering grain yield, nutrient use efficiency for the highest net returns and B:C ratio in low land rice ecosystem of lower Indo-Gangetic plains.
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